Author Topic: Stage Management Colleges  (Read 47742 times)

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supershorty

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #15 on: Sep 17, 2007, 03:54 pm »
I'm currently a sophomore at Webster University, and I love it.  You know Kyle Simkins, right?  Get my number/email from him and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

{edit} I guess I should have said this before, but I'm Katie Paige.
« Last Edit: Sep 17, 2007, 04:01 pm by supershorty »
-Katie Paige

sievep

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #16 on: Sep 18, 2007, 12:41 am »
Supershorty -

E-mail me about Webster . . .I'd love to know if the program has changed since I went there.
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Cedes

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #17 on: Oct 24, 2007, 08:07 pm »
I go to Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I'm currently a junior, and have been SMing for 2 years. There is no SM program, persay, but we have some of the best facilities and programs to learn in, and lots of mentors to help. i highly recommend it!

BLee

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #18 on: Feb 12, 2008, 08:59 pm »
I highly recommend Stephens College is Columbia, MO. I am here right now and it is a three year, two summer program. It is wonderful and my stage management mentor is so fantastic. The entire faculty are/have been professionals in the business. There is so much guaranteed work for stage managers here and it is such a professional environment.

They teach not only your specialty but encourage you to take classes for all angles of theatre. There are minimal gen-eds because it is a specialized school in the performing arts department. Everyone is friendly....well just know this place is wonderful.

www.stephens.edu and feel free to send me a message with any questions. You get a top notch education here. (Trust, I started a year somewhere else and quickly realized my mistake in not going here immediately).
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Thomas A. Kelly

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #19 on: Feb 13, 2008, 12:10 pm »
I taught at Rutgers for thirteen yeas, and the best thing about it is that you GET TO STAGE MANAGE. So many colleges do not do full productions, and you get stuck with some student thesis or overly self important faculty directors, etc. At Rutgers, it is basically olike a LORT C theater, a variety of spaces.. thrust, proscenium, black box, etc. They do productions fully supported with sets, lights and costumes designed either by MFA students or NYC Professionals... it is a lot more stimulating than most places I have taught, spoken or visited.

It is also close to NYC which gives you the advantage of dropping in on the real world often.. they also sometimes help out with the Opera program, work at George Street Playhouse, etc.

You get a VERY well rounded experience with tech and running crew assignments and classes leading to ASM and SM assignments.

The other colleges I would recommend are University of Missouri which works hand and hand with Missouri Rep (or did), North Carolina School of the Arts and Emerson.

I believe we all learn by doing, so be sure you go someplace where you get to do it, not just talk about it....

TAK


slinky5289

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #20 on: Feb 22, 2008, 07:39 pm »
Some thing to keep in mind is also the school itself. Do you want to attend a large state school or a smaller liberal arts school? Conservatory, B.A., or B.F.A program? There's a lot of possibilities and just because you've heard great things about the stage management program at one school doesn't mean it's the best fit for you. 

slinky5289

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #21 on: Feb 22, 2008, 07:55 pm »
I am from the Chicago area myself (Bolingbrook to be precise) and recently went through the slightly overwhelming process of sorting through collages. I realized I was more geared toward liberal arts collages myself after looking at dozens (literally) of school. If you have any questions of just wanna talk shoot me an email at lstadick@iwu.edu.

And check out Illinois Wesleyan University and Millikin University if the idea of a smaller liberal arts school intrigues you.

JenniferS.

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #22 on: Mar 21, 2008, 11:40 pm »
Question about Rutgers, do you think their undergraduate or graduate program is stronger? I was looking at it for undergraduate, but I decided against the BFA route in favor of getting a more general BA degree in Drama. I want to go to grad school for stage management though, and I think I will go back and look again at Rutgers.

Thomas A. Kelly

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #23 on: Mar 22, 2008, 12:27 pm »
Good idea! Undergrad is only good if you arrive with some experience; you will spend two yesr on running crews and then get some SM qassignments.. so, yes, go to BA in Drama and then graduate program at Rutgers.. you will get more out of both.

Tom

Sarah J.

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #24 on: Jul 12, 2008, 07:36 pm »
As a graduate of Webster, I don't recommend it.  I can't say that I was charmed with DePaul when I visited as a prospective.   

What was bad about Webster and DePaul? (I was considering those schools.)

Amie

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #25 on: Jul 13, 2008, 10:45 pm »
I have a question that I don't think I saw covered in this thread.

I have also considered going BACK to school for stage management. I have my undergrad degree in Fine Arts.  (I wanted to use my arts degree to possibly design for theatre, but ended up working backstage and finding my way to stage management). I've been stage managing for about 4-5 years now.  It's not a ton of time, obviously.  However, I've been thinking about going back to school for stage management, but to earn a MFA, not for another undergraduate degree.

From what I understand, those who seem to be applying for grad schools have worked professionally and even have equity cards.  Is this a pre-requisite to graduate school?  Thoughts please, because I want to work professionally, but I also want to get a higher education in this field of study.

Thank you.
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“This whole creation is essentially subjective, and the dream is the theater where the dreamer is at once: scene, actor, prompter, stage manager, author, audience, and critic.”

gotracigo

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #26 on: Jul 14, 2008, 01:03 am »
I highly recommend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  I guess, as an alum, I'm biased, but the program itself was very well rounded.  I'm went through their MFA program, but the BFA's have the same opportunities as the grads, and show assignments are based on giving a student exposure to many disciplines.  You will likely only ASM as a freshman, but, as you become acquainted with the Krannert Center and the staff, you will be assigned shows that fit your current skill level.

Classes in stage management, all theatrical disciples, as well as history are required for undergrads and grads.  Undergrads have more hands-on practicum hours to fill as they learn a base for their craft, and grads have an opportunity for internships both in and outside the center, assistantships, and specialized independent study, ie current theatrical events, tour management, etc.  All students have a weekly SM "homeroom" to get on the same page, and classes in SMing for opera, and learning about the Equity rule book are part of the curriculum. 

The facilities are really great; you'll get a chance to work in 4 spaces, and work on opera, theatre, and dance.  The Center sometimes commissions new work which is another great hands on learning opportunity, which has allowed some students to have jobs after graduation.  With the presented events, there is an opportunity for work in the events office for the touring events, and sometimes the SM's for the touring events are invited for Q and A's as they are available.

All in all, I think the MFA program is growing, and worth looking into.  The BFA program is right for students who already know what SMing is, and are ready to completely throw themselves into it.  Often we would get undergrads who thought they knew they wanted to SM, but really didn't know what all it entailed.  For these students I might suggest they consider a BA program.

I went the BA / MFA route, and it was totally right for me.  It mean I got to tap dance in college  :)

One suggestion: I would look very carefully into what KIND of productions the school you're interested in puts  on.  When I was doing the whole URTA / checking out grad schools thing, I eliminated some schools from my list because they didn't so musical theatre, or opera, or new work, or whatever...  Eventually the U of I rose to the top for me for lots of reasons, but one really important one was the opportunity to work in so many disciplines, and be around the tours coming in.  The only draw back about the program is its location, in that there is not a direct connection to a major theatre city.

PM me if you have more questions or want more info.

I've also heard good things about the DePaul program. 
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employer.

dpayge

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« Reply #27 on: Jul 17, 2008, 06:23 pm »
 I just recently finished my undergrad at California State University Fullerton.  There are pros and cons there, but I did get to ASM and SM  quite a few productions there. They have quite a few performances spaces (5 in all) and Soo many opportunities for undergrads. It's a very well rounded education, My degree is in Technical production and design with an emphasis in Stage Management.
   The real gem I found there was slightly underscored, Our PM Carole Cotter.  She doesn't teach,  but is a staff person. Any time I had a question about Stage Management she had the answer.
 
« Last Edit: Jul 17, 2008, 10:05 pm by zayit shachor »

Amie

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #28 on: Nov 16, 2008, 12:06 pm »
Hi, again -

In my college search, I've found a plethora of wonderful sounding programs. I came across one, but can't find it now, that required a GRE.  Now going back and trying to find that school...all my searches come up with "no longer require" and "don't requrie".... is there one school out there that does require it? Even if one school requires it, I will take the test. But if it is truly not required, is it worth it to take the test?


Apologies if this has been covered. It seems impossible to search for "gre" on the forum. So many words with the letters "gre" come up rather than the topic of Graduate Record Examination. Ha.
~ Amie ~

“This whole creation is essentially subjective, and the dream is the theater where the dreamer is at once: scene, actor, prompter, stage manager, author, audience, and critic.”

Maribeth

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Re: Stage Management Colleges
« Reply #29 on: Nov 16, 2008, 09:48 pm »
I think Yale requires the GRE.